Gripper TBM heading for Mumbai water project 01 Oct 2020

An open gripper Terratec TBM has passed its factory acceptance test making it ready to be shipped to Mumbai where contractor Patel Engineering will complete the Amar Mahal II water transfer project for the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) in Maharashtra.

3.2m diameter gripper TBM heading to Mumbai

The 3.2m diameter TBM will complete 5,350m of rock excavation in two drives between three shafts of up to 105m deep. The finished 2.5m diameter tunnel will transfer water from Amar Mahal to the Trombay low-level reservoir and on to the Trombay high-level reservoir.

The TBM has a modular design that allows it to be launched and potentially received via the shafts or disassembled inside the tunnel for retrieval. The tough cutterhead is equipped with 18 heavy-duty, back-loading disc cutters. The VFD controlled electric motors enable the cutterhead to rotate at more than 10 rev/min with optimum torque.

Cutterhead of the new TBM

To allow for safe excavation through predicted geological conditions along the alignment, the machine has been designed with efficient ground supporting equipment including a fixed probe drilling unit, two rock bolting drills and a steel arch erector. TBM operation will be assisted by Terratec field service staff, providing after-sales support to ensure optimum performance and successful project completion.

The AMT-II project is one of a number of projects presently being carried out by MCGM to augment and improve its water distribution system to meet increased demand and ensure reliable supply.

In recent years, Terratec has been the leading TBM supplier in the Indian market supplying TBMs to Phase III of the Delhi Metro and the metro projects in Lucknow, Ahmadabad, Mumbai and Pune with the company supplying prompt onsite assistance, readily available TBM spares and technical support.